Abstract
A "catalyst switch" strategy was used to synthesize well-defined polyether-polyester/polycarbonate block copolymers. Epoxides (ethylene oxide and/or 1,2-butylene oxide) were first polymerized from a monoalcohol in the presence of a strong phosphazene base promoter (t-BuP4). Then an excess of diphenyl phosphate (DPP) was introduced, followed by the addition and polymerization of a cyclic ester (ε-caprolactone or δ-valerolactone) or a cyclic carbonate (trimethylene carbonate), where DPP acted as both the neutralizer of phosphazenium alkoxide (polyether chain end) and the activator of cyclic ester/carbonate. This work has provided a one-pot sequential polymerization method for the metal-free synthesis of block copolymers from monomers which are suited for different types of organic catalysts. © 2014 American Chemical Society.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 3814-3822 |
Number of pages | 9 |
Journal | Macromolecules |
Volume | 47 |
Issue number | 12 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jun 3 2014 |
Bibliographical note
KAUST Repository Item: Exported on 2020-10-01ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Materials Chemistry
- Organic Chemistry
- Polymers and Plastics
- Inorganic Chemistry